Claiming Universal Credit and other benefits if you are a refugee
Urgent actions refugees need to do to claim Universal Credit and other benefits, once they have been given refugee status.
Documents
Update history
2025-09-09 10:59
In the HTML document attachment: if you’re receiving asylum support, the timing of when it ends depends on your circumstances. From 1 September 2025, for most single adults, asylum support will end 4 weeks after you’re granted refugee status. Asylum support will continue for 8 weeks after you’re granted refugee status if any of the following apply: you are receiving support as part of a couple or family group, you are pregnant, you are over 65, you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Previously, asylum support ended 8 weeks after refugee status was granted for everyone.
2024-12-06 15:26
Asylum support now ends 8 weeks after the person is granted refugee status.
2024-11-19 10:39
Added that eVisas are issued as well as biometric residence permits.Added how to find your National Insurance number if you have an eVisa.
2024-01-23 17:22
Your asylum support will usually stop 28 days after your biometric residence permit (BRP) has been issued.
2024-01-09 16:36
Changes to clarify that asylum support usually ends 28 days after a person gets a decision about their asylum claim.
2023-12-01 11:52
Updated the guidance about National Insurance numbers to explain that DWP will tell you how to apply for a National Insurance number as part of your claim for benefits.